12.09.2010 - Linkin Park Promise 'Epic' VMA Performance

12.09.2010

LOS ANGELES -- When Linkin Park signed on to perform at the Video Music Awards, they only had one request: They wanted it to be big.

It made sense. After all, this was going to be the first performance of "The Catalyst," the massive, sweeping debut single off their upcoming A Thousand Suns album (in stores Tuesday), and they needed an equally massive -- and sweeping -- stage from which to launch the next chapter in their career.

And though we're not allowed to say just where they'll be performing, suffice it to say, they succeeded in finding the right spot.

"We're really excited about the new music, and this being the first performance, it's a big show for us," LP's Chester Bennington told MTV News. "So we're beyond thrilled that we were able to make it happen."

"It's an epic location and it does fit the tone of the song, and there are definitely themes about this location and the song that tie together," Mike Shinoda told MTV News. " 'The Catalyst' was one of the first demos on our record that really felt like the nucleus of what the record was going to be. ... There's a complexity to the ideas in the song. I think there are layers to the lyrics; there's obviously layers to the music."

And judging from what we saw in rehearsals Saturday night (September 11), the performance is definitely going to match the scope of the song. It's big, it's loud, and it reaches unabashedly for the stars. Which is fitting, because given where the performance is taking place, Linkin Park can practically touch them.

Infer from that what you will. Or not. Because Bennington and Shinoda aren't quite ready to make the big reveal just yet.

"It's going to be really beautiful looking. This is a very unique kind of opportunity for us to play this particular location," Bennington said. "It's not really a place where normally a band would be able to come perform at."

"Personally, I can't wait to meet Shamu," Shinoda added. "Oh sh--, did I say that out loud?"

The 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday. The party starts with MTV News' VMA Pre-Show at 8 p.m., followed by the main event at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Fans can go to VMA.MTV.com (or text VMA to 97979 if they are Verizon subscribers) to vote for Best New Artist from now through Sunday.